Pick up at Kilimanjaro airport and drive to Stella Maris lodge in Moshi Town 30-40 minutes. This lodge is before Moshi town Therefore it has the perfect view of Mount Kilimanjaro. Enjoy your lovely stay in this lodge with comfortable beds and a hot shower. We recommend that you try and get an early night ahead of your 7 days Mount Kilimanjaro climb machame route which will start the following day.

Main Destination:

• Moshi

Accommodation:

• Stella Maris Lodge
  Mid-range Lodge near Moshi

Meals & Drinks :

• Breakfast only
• ( Drinks not included)

A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing about your 7 days Mount Kilimanjaro climb machame route, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park’s entrance: Machame Gate (1,800 m).

After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits of your 7 days Mount Kilimanjaro climb machame route and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Machame Camp (3,010 m). The first stage of climbing Kilimanjaro on the Machame Route includes passage through the rainforest (where tropical showers are highly probable), so we recommend you take not only spare clothes but also your raincoats.

In addition to your Machame Route Climb

This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:
– Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine
– Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently)
– Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness.
– We recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip in case of potential allergies.

At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.

Altitude: Machame Gate (1,800 m) — Machame Camp (3,010 m)
Distance: 10 km
Time: 5–6 hrs.

After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Machame Camp (3,010 m). The trekking route includes passage through the rainforest (where tropical showers are highly probable), so we recommend you take not only spare clothes but also your raincoats.

Main Destination:

• Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

• Mid-range Camping
  In Mount Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks :

• All meals included
• ( Drinking water)

On this day you will depart from Shira 1 Camp in the morning and complete a light trek toward the second high-altitude camp: Shira 2 Camp. This trek is not difficult and you will be able to enjoy spectacular views of African savannahs and the unique flora of Kilimanjaro. Shira 2 Camp is the best place on the trip to see Mount Meru (the fifth summit of Africa and second-highest in Tanzania), weather permitting.

During the trek between camps, our guides will offer ascending Cathedral Peak – 3872 meters (12,703 feet), one of the highest points of the extinct Shira volcano. Besides the captivating hiking experience, reaching the summit of Cathedral Peak on a clear day offers breathtaking views down into the valley. In our decade of experience working on the mountain, the valley below resembling a lost world is among our favourite views. This is a straightforward hike with no technical challenges. Although the peak may be shrouded in clouds at times, there’s a stella providing an opportunity for a memorable photograph. If you prefer to skip this ascent or encounter unfavorable weather, heading directly to Shira 2 is an option. This choice doesn’t impact acclimatization since Shira 2 and Cathedral Peak stand at a similar elevation. Nevertheless, we believe the hike to Cathedral Peak is worth it and wholeheartedly recommend it.

When you arrive at the camp you will have lunch, and after a two-hour rest, everyone will complete an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp that features a 200 m /656 f gain in altitude.

Change in Elevation:

Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m /12,631 f)

Destination point en route to Lava Tower (4,270 m /14,009 f)

Distance: 7 km
Time: 3-4  hours

Main Destination:

• Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

• Mid-range Camping
  In Mount Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks :

• All meals included
• ( Drinking water)

After breakfast, you will leave Shira 2 Camp and start your hike to the key point of the route: Lava Tower. This section of the route has a lot of ascents and descents that end at a camp at over 4,600 m /15,088 f above sea level. It might be difficult, and it is common to feel some discomfort, but in order to successfully acclimate to the altitude you have to spend at least 1–2 hours here. For that reason, your group will enjoy your lunch at the top of Lava Tower, in order to help you acclimatize better.

Then you will descend to Barranco Camp. There you will see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in both its massive size and steepness! The next day you will be climbing it, but don’t worry, it features a very simple hiking trail and is not intimidating at all.

NOTE: If one or more participants feel unwell, the group may refrain from passing the Lava Tower and adjust the route, following instead the road for porters. In this case, you will not reach an altitude of 4,600 m /15,088 f, getting up only to a maximum of 4,400 m /14,435 f.

Altitude: Shira Camp (3,845 m) — Lava Tower (4,630 m) — Barranco Camp (3,960 m)
Distance: 12 km
Time: 6–8 hrs.

Main Destination:

• Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

• Mid-range Camping
  In Mount Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks :

• All meals included
• ( Drinking water)

On this day it is best to make an early start to avoid crowding on the way up Barranco Wall. Despite the Wall’s seemingly daunting height and steepness the actual climb is rather merciful at a mere hour or so. The top provides a great photo opportunity with Kibo Peak as the backdrop.

The next part of the day is rife with ups and downs where your guides will choose the best place for individual climbers.
A lunch break at Karanga Camp shall be followed by an acclimatization climb towards Barafu with its highest point being 4,270 m. The group then drops back to Karanga Camp for the overnight.

Trekking between Barranco and Karanga Camp:
Altitude: Barranco: 3,960 m – Karanga: 4,035 m.
Distance: 5 km
Time: 4–5 hrs.

Acclimatization climb:
Altitude: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) — highest point reached: 4,270 m
Distance: 2.5 km
Time: 1–2 hrs.

Main Destination:

• Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

• Mid-range Camping
  In Mount Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks :

• All meals included
• ( Drinking water)

In the morning, after a warm and hearty breakfast, you will begin your hike to Barafu Summit Camp. This camp is the starting point for the final night summit to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m /19,336 f) – your end goal. Our team will set up camp ahead of time, so when you arrive your tents and sleeping bags will already be prepared, meaning you can just relax and rest when you reach Barafu Summit Camp. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before the night summit.

Distance: 6 km
Time: 4–5 hrs.

Main Destination:

• Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

• Mid-range Camping
  In Mount Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks :

• All meals included
• ( Drinking water)

Summiting starts around midnight from 4,673 m, ending on Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m. While the trek itself is fairly simple, rarified mountain air does pose a challenge. Therefore, a guide who will monitor their condition throughout the climb shall accompany every two climbers ensuring safety above all. Upon summiting, you shall have an opportunity to walk on the nearby glacier.

The descent to 3,820 m at Millennium Camp starts after a two-hour rest back at Barafu Camp.

NB: Descent is deceptively easy with treacherous footing and results in 90% of accidents. Mind your feet if you want to avoid falling and damaged toenails!
Altitude: Barafu Camp (4,673 m) — Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) — Millennium Camp (3,820 m)
Distance: 15.5 km
Time: 7–12 hrs.

Main Destination:

• Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

• Mid-range Camping
  In Mount Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks :

• All meals included
• ( Drinking water)

Millennium Camp is situated in a tropical rainforest. When you wake up, you will feel relief from the reduction of the altitude and the satisfaction of reaching the summit. After a warm breakfast, you will head for the national park’s exit: Mweka Gate. After your descent the whole group will gather to congratulate you, followed by offering you a chance to share your opinions on the climb in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates in our office and provide you with a transfer back to the hotel.

Distance: 12 km
Time: 4–5 hrs

Main Destination:

• Moshi

Accommodation:

• Stella Maris Lodge
  Mid-range Lodge near Moshi

Meals & Drinks :

• Breakfast only
• ( Drinks not included)

Hotel-to-airport transfer.

NB: Typical check-out time is 11:00 AM. Late checking out is available for guests with late flights, though they may incur extra fees.

Main Destination:

• Moshi

Accommodation:

• No Accommodation
  (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks :

• Breakfast only
• ( Drinks not included)